Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI)
Shared interoperable digital platforms and foundational services.
How the laws define this
All three instruments agree that Digital Public Infrastructure consists of foundational, interoperable digital systems, platforms, and services designed to enable secure data exchange and the delivery of services. They consistently point to data exchange capabilities alongside systems like digital identity and payments as core components of this shared technical foundation. The principal point of divergence lies in the operational scope and intended sector of the infrastructure. The Maharashtra MahaAgri-AI Policy 2025-29 applies a domain-specific lens, restricting DPI to shared platforms serving the agricultural ecosystem and highlighting specific systems such as A-DeX and the AI Sandbox. In contrast, both the Digital Nation Pakistan Act, 2025 and the Digital Economy Policy and Strategy 2024 adopt a broader economy-wide perspective that covers general public and private services. The Digital Nation Pakistan Act, 2025 further specifies that this infrastructure facilitates inter-agency data flows specifically across government and eligible private actors.
Synthesised from the 3 statutory definitions below. Each one is quoted in full, with its source.
How jurisdictions differ
What is distinctive in each definition, binding law in force first.
| Jurisdiction | Instrument | Status | What is distinctive |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pakistan | Digital Nation Pakistan Act, 2025 | In Force | Specifies a suite of technical components, standards, and services including identity, payments/connectivity, and data-exchange layers for secure inter-agency data flows across government and eligible private actors. |
| Maharashtra, India | Maharashtra MahaAgri-AI Policy 2025-29 | In Force | Narrows to shared platforms and systems like A-DeX and AI Sandbox enabling standardized interactions among stakeholders in the agricultural ecosystem. |
| Ghana | Digital Economy Policy and Strategy 2024 | In Force | Limits to foundational digital systems such as digital identity, payment systems, and data exchange platforms for essential public and private services. |
Definitions (3)
DPI refers to shared, interoperable digital platforms and systems (such as A-DeX and the AI Sandbox) that provide foundational services and enable secure, standardized interactions among stakeholders in the agricultural ecosystem.
A suite of interoperable technical components, standards and services (such as identity, payments/connectivity, and data‑exchange layers) designed to enable secure inter‑agency data flows and the delivery of digital public services across government and eligible private actors.
The foundational digital systems, such as digital identity, payment systems, and data exchange platforms, that enable the delivery of essential public and private services.
Not to be confused with
Service infrastructure refers to platforms, APIs, identity, and payment systems enabling digital service delivery, while DPI encompasses broader shared interoperable platforms and foundational services.
National Digital Infrastructure (NDI) integrates specific elements like broadband, sovereign cloud, and digital identity, whereas DPI covers a wider range of interoperable components and services.
Questions and answers
What technical components are included in DPI under Pakistan's Digital Nation Pakistan Act?
It includes interoperable technical components, standards, and services such as identity, payments/connectivity, and data-exchange layers. These enable secure inter-agency data flows and digital public services across government and eligible private actors.
How does Maharashtra define DPI in its agriculture AI policy?
DPI refers to shared, interoperable digital platforms and systems such as A-DeX and the AI Sandbox. These provide foundational services for secure, standardized interactions in the agricultural ecosystem.
What are examples of foundational digital systems in Ghana's Digital Economy Policy?
Examples include digital identity, payment systems, and data exchange platforms. These enable the delivery of essential public and private services.
Related Terms
Agricultural Data Exchange (A-DeX)
Federated, consent-based data platform for agricultural data....
Service infrastructure
Platforms, APIs, identity and payment systems enabling digital service delivery....
AI Sandbox
Virtual testbed for developing and testing AI agri-solutions....
digital ecosystem
Infrastructure, platforms, services and applications enabling digital activity....
National Digital Infrastructure (NDI)
Foundational system integrating broadband, sovereign cloud, and digital identity for the country's digital ecosystem....